CEE's 2014 Thread #6 *Come as you are *

My sweet granddaughter, Sam. All ready for her second day of work!
For her first real job Sam picks (and eats) strawberries.
I call her 'Strawberry Girl' now.

TOTAL BOOKS READ:




BOTS:

2014 STATS:

total books read: 48

BOTS (books off my shelf): 9

Fiction: 31
Non-Fiction: 16
Poetry: 1

male author: 16
female author: 32

US authors: 35
authors from other countries: 13

living author: 36
deceased author: 12

AUGUST COMPLETED:
Marmee and Louisa by Eve LaPlante (book club)
The Secret River by Kate Grenville
A Patchwork Planet by Anne Tyler
The Dalai Lama's Cat by David Michie
The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay
Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki by Murakami
Two Winters in a Tipi by Mark Warren

Currently Reading:
The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street by Susan Jane Gilman LTER
The Myth of Sisyphus and other Essays by Albert Camus

2014 AAC - as I plan it for now:

Jan - Willa Cather - Shadows on the Rock and One of OursEXCELLENT
Feb - Faulkner - The Hamlet QUIT !!! :PPPPP
Mar - Cormac McCarthy - All the Pretty Horses EXCELLENT
Apr - Morrison - Song of Solomon EXCELLENT
May - Welty - Selected Stories of Eudora Welty IMPRESSIVE
Jun - Vonnegut - Cat's Cradle SURPRIZINGLY GOOD
Jul - Twain - Roughing It
Aug - Roth - sub Henry James - The Portrait of a Lady (have been trying to read this for at least 2 yrs)
Sep - Baldwin - Go Tell It on the Mountain
Oct - Wharton - The Custom Of The Country
Nov - Updike - The Witches of Eastwick
Dec - Larry Watson - Let Him Go

OK. I got the BINGO CARD. I don't know how to check the squares. But I almost have a full card!

A book with more than 500 pp: Dune by Frank Herbert (896 pp)
A forgotten classic: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
A book that became a movie: All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy
A book published this year: Innocence by Dean Koontz
A book with a number in the title: One of Ours by Willa Cather
A book written by someone under 30: Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard
A book with non-human characters: Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
A funny book: Grumpy Cat: A Grumpy Book by Grumpy Cat
A book by a female author: Shadows on the Rock by Willa Cather
A book with a mystery: Love Songs from a Shallow Grave by Colin Cotterill
A book with a one-word title: Cinder by Marissa Meyer
A book of short stories: Selected Stories of Eudora Welty by Eudora Welty
A book set on a different continent: The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky
A book of non-fiction: Rising Sea Levels by Hunt Janin
The first book by a favorite author:
A book you heard about online: The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold
A best selling book: The Blue Sweater by Jacqueline Novogratz
A book based on a true story: The Color of Lightning by Paulette Jiles
A book at the bottom of your TBR pile: A Patchwork Planet by Anne Tyler
A book your friend loves: Music & Silence by Rose Tremain
A book that scares you: And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
A book that is more than 10 years old: Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison
The second book in a series: Fountain Filled With Blood by Julia Spencer-Fleming
A book with a blue cover: The Great Work of Your Life by Stephen Cope

Are you sure? :) I don't know what her job is but she sure looks cute!

Hi Kim! You're FIRST!

You'd never guess. Well, I knew what her job was before I saw the picture. Still, I questioned the outfit... but what do I know????

Thanks. I think she's pretty cute too ;-)

Hmmmm, trying to figure it out....a folder in one hand and some kind of food in the other..... I love her hat!

And happy new thread!

Hi Lucy!
I'll give you a hint... the food is her lunch. Looks like yogurt, sandwich, and water bottle. I know. Not much to go on.

I love the hat too!

Scattering stars * * *

* * *

Sam is gorgeous!

I got, as we say, nuthin', but wanted to wish you a wonderful week and to mark my place.

Good to see you back and up to speed, Cee.

Okay... now that I'm not on my iPad and half asleep, more stars....

.

............................................. ....................................................

And yes! beautiful thread!

Oh, your granddaughter is lovely! Is she a receptionist? On a beach? Ha!

Happy New thread, Claudia! Hope you had a lovely holiday.

Sam is beautiful, Cee. What a lovely photo.

Hmm..given that it's summer ... could it be she's a camp counselor?

How is Ron this morning? Maybe if you waved some Cheetos in front of him, he'll leap out of bed. :-)

An intern for somewhere? Dunno. But She is beautiful :)

Happy New Thread Claudia!

I'm going to guess Sam is being a journalist. Wild guess. She looks like a sweetie.

>13 mckait:, >15 mckait:, >19 mckait: Thanks for the starry decorations, Kath!
Well, I don't think you could call Sam an intern, though she is still learning the finer points of her job.

>14 Matke: Hi Gail! I'm not sure what my speed is, but I'm here again.
You always have a place here. Wishing you a better week and a few good surprises :-)

>16 scaifea: LOL! Amber, at first I thought she had gotten a different job of receptionist - but the outfit threw me off. Never thought of a receptionist on a beach! hehehe Nope. That's not it. I can't give it away quite yet. The guesses are fun ;-)

>17 msf59: Mark, Our holiday was very low-key while our body systems were mending. It was good though. We needed the break. The only thing I kinda missed was a good ol' fashioned BBQ. We're having grilled steak and potato salad for supper tonight. Maybe even a cool summer drink! Will be my first in over a week.

>18 cameling: Excellent guess, Caro! But that's not it either.
I told Ron about your Cheetos comment.
His response was "well, it'd be worth a try!"
First time I saw him smile in awhile ;-)

>19 mckait: Another good guess, Ilana. She could be heading off to her desk at the newspaper to turn in her latest article - but no.
Another hint: The folder contains her paperwork for beginning her job. I know. That's really no help either.

***************************

So I'm currently reading:

Marmee and Louisa for my book club and am a little bogged down with Marmee's background. I need to speed up this reading thing.

Also:
The Girl Who Sang to the Buffalo because it's on my Kindle and I wanted something lightweight to hold at bedtime. I found out it's book 3 of a trilogy I have not read - this may make me crazy. But it looks like this book could easily be a stand-alone.

Sunny, slightly warm, and summery Sunday. Anyone wanna trade for something cold and wintry?

oooh I gave Buffalo Girl 5 stars... I loved it :)

Hmmm. Receptionist? Is the hat relevant? Usher at an outdoor Shakespeare theater?

>23 mckait: I know, Kath. That's why I picked it up :-)

>24 EBT1002: Actually, yes! The hat is quite relevant - possibly the best clue in the picture.

She's a guide at the botanical gardens.

Happy new thread, Cee! Your granddaughter is gorgeous! Let's see...some sort of outdoor tour guide? I'm going to guess she will be outdoors - zoo? Some kind of gardening center or greenhouse?

Ha! Caro and I posted at the same time, and we were thinking along the same lines!

Wonderful guesses! You're getting warm.
It's outdoors and she's surrounded by plants (usually). Not botanical garden, greenhouse or garden center. Not a gardener. Not a guide. Not a salesgirl.
I'll have to spill the answer soon, I guess. You're getting close.

Hmmm~ Beekeeper? Picking fruits /vegies on an organic farm?

Ah, Kath! You are so close I will give it to you!
Not a beekeeper though.

She picks strawberries! And I do believe the farm is organic.

I'm so jealous. They encourage the pickers to eat all they want so they can learn the peak of ripeness - which makes them better pickers!
She started off a bit slow so they had her directing traffic and helping the little old ladies with their trays. With her cuteness and sweet disposition, she was a hit all around. They treat her special and she can pick as fast as the boys now!

The woman that hired her has a strawberry stand right next to Bridget at a few of the farmer's markets. Sometimes Sam helps her set up for fun. It's a good arrangement.

So, Kath.... you get the prize! I'll be over for breakfast :-)

That's awesome, Cee. I think it can be hard work but she is strong and presumably has a healthy back. And getting to eat all those strawberries: YUM.

Hooray !!

Do you like panckes?

Picking strawberries sounds like a fantastic job! And she looks very sweet, too...the perfect strawberry picker.

Hi! Nice new thread, with lovely photo of Strawberry Girl granddaughter. Congrats to her on her first job!

Nice new Thread, Sis, and your granddaughter is a lovely girl, hat and all.

Strawberries! And taste testing! That is my idea of a perfect job.

>31 -Cee-:: Oh my, Sam landed a wonderful job. She looks a bit overdressed (to me) but she sure is a cutie! How cool that she is encouraged to eat the product. I liked all the guesses. What a fun idea you had.

Your granddaughter is adorable, Cee!

Getting paid to pick and eat strawberries sounds pretty darn good...although maybe a little hard on the back. My old back anyway.

Hope your summer is going well. I envy your island life.

Ceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee~

yooo hoo! Are you off doing town stuff or are you, I hope.. sitting outside under some trees watching the grass grow and reading?

>32 EBT1002: Hi Ellen, At age 14 her back is in good shape for picking berries. If I were her, I would probably be wearing long pants/jeans so I could kneel on the ground. Knowing her, she will kneel on the ground anyway and won't mind getting dirty.

>33 mckait:, >40 mckait: Kaaaaaaaaaaaaath! I seem to have finally caught whatever it is that Ron had. At least I can get around and function though - just gotta keep up with cough meds and go to bed early. Hafta, hafta, hafta be good for Saturday's auction. I (wo)man the cash register and record bids. Critical position. I've been training two other women on the bidding for backup. I should get someone to learn the cash register now.
I love pancakes... and I'm thinking... I'll hop on my broom, pick up some berries from Sam in CT, then fly down to your place :-) I know you don't care for strawberries, so I'll bring blueberries from Maine too. Don't forget the bacon!

>34 The_Hibernator: Hi Rachel! Indeed. I wish I had landed a job like that as a teen. I lived in CT when I was her age and worked on a farm, too. It was a tobacco farm. Ugh. The girls had to tend the baby plants, tie them so they would grow up, and occasionally twist the strings to keep it taut as they grew. (We're talking miles and miles of rows.)Then when the leaves were fully grown the boys picked them and the girls "sewed" them on a lath for hanging in the barns where they dried. By then it was back to school for us. Migrant workers carried on from there. THAT was backbreaking and tiring work. And we loved our paychecks ;-) I worked 54 hours a week and made about $50. That was a fortune to me back then.

>35 tymfos: Hi Terry, Thanks. She's a sweetie, for sure! (says her gram)
I think every kid should have a chance to work on a farm. It's a great experience and builds stamina.

>36 connie53: Hi there Sis! Thanks for the compliment. Sam is also a very lovely girl on the inside as well. Her parents are doing a fine job raising her and her brother, Greg. They both help my daughter (Bridget) at the markets now that they are out of school. Here's a picture of Greg (on the right) - at the market - jamming with a neighbor vendor. Cute kid, huh?



>37 Berly: I know, Kim. I might even suffer the toils of picking to get a mouthful of those yummy, ripe berries. There is no place close to us for picking now. I miss that.

>38 Donna828: Hi Donna, I thought she looked a bit too pretty for farm work, too, But she always was one to follow her own style and her mom lets her. Cudos to both of them. This is the girl who until this past year refused to wear jeans (or any kind of pants). Always saw her in a dress. And that included at night. She would not wear pj's - only nightgowns.

>39 Copperskye: Thanks, Joanne. I remember at 14 - I wasn't even aware I had a back. Ah - youth! Doubt I'd last long at that job now. Just long enough to get my fill of strawberries ;-)
I do have to say, island life would be truly enviable if it were not for tourists. I know that sounds a bit snooty. It is beautiful here, but so much work to entertain the summer people and visitors. I like it best when they all go back to school and work. I paid my dues. Now I want to relax. ah well. I would need a private island for that. I just have to learn to stop volunteering for so much. I'm getting better.

Perfect. And I will mAke you medicinal tea with secret ingredients to make you well.

Oh yeah. Quit volunteering for so much!!

That is so cool! What, do I hear you ask? I forget that you cant see what I have just read and so cant know that I am commenting on the Strawberry girl and her jamming brother.
Happy belated 4th of July. I was offline, in the bookdocks, with a flat phone battery and not a care in the world...

eta: by bookdocks, I meant boondocks! But, bookdocks sounds OK to me :)

Just... hugs and kisses. You're a doll.

Can I just *cough, cough, cough*
Can I *cough, cough*
Just *cough, cough, cough, cough, cough...*
Say *hack, hack, cough, hack, cough, cough, cough...*
(tries to clear throat several times)
*cough, cough, cough, cough, cough, cough!!!!*
nevermind

sh*t !!! *cough, cough, cough, gasp*
I got it
*hack, hack, cough, collapse, :pppp *

Feel better soon, Cee...

Tea, whiskey, honey and lemon. Lots of it.

Oh too bad! Summer colds are the worst!

>47 -Cee-: I am trying not to laugh at you Cee, but this was so funny! Feel better SOON!

>47 -Cee-: Well, gee, that doesn't sound good...hope you're soon feeling better.

I slept and slept and slept last night. About 12 hours. I'm taking so much cold and cough syrup stuff, I'm not even hungry. But I think I've got a good combination going to suppress most of the coughing. I probably won't be over this by tomorrow, but I HAVE to do the auction and make it look like I am enjoying myself. Then when I get home, I can collapse. All I'm doing today is making cookies (lots of them for the food booth) and resting some more.

Ah, Kath. I don't really like tea, whiskey, or honey. But I do like lemon! Can I just suck on a lemon? Will that make the cough go away - far, far away?

Lucy, I agree. Nuthin' good about summer. Though we have had some gorgeous weather so far. Must be the a/c we bought - "just in case".

Kim, Hard to talk and type when you are constantly coughing and hacking up a lung. :p

Joanne - Thanks. Dayquil, Nightquil, cough syrup, vitamin C, and cough drops by the handful! No wonder I'm not hungry. Had to go out and buy all new stuff as Ron went through all he had gotten for himself. At least I am now functional. More or less.

And I thought I would miss this cold. Dang!

So sorry you caught this Claudia. Not fair. Hope it goes away asap. xx

Sorry to hear that you don't like my remedy, cause it works a treat for me. Glad you found something that does work for you. Cookie baking? I hope you are eating some of them, too.

I hope that you truly DO feel better tomorrow...

hugs

Oh, dear! SO sorry that you caught the cold. Tell Ron that he doesn't have to share everything - just the stuff that you really want. Hoping that the auction goes quickly and smoothly. Feel better, Cee.

Hope today is easy peasy and that you come home only a little tired and not more sick and exhausted :(

hugs

I hope you have plenty of supplies to make it through the auction!

Did ya make iti?

I made it. I loaded up on drugs and liquids. But now I can't talk. That's ok... I have nothing to say anyway.

Auction went smooth as soft butter and was a success. We made over $18,000 !

Beautiful day - yesterday and today. I want to thank all my mid-western friends for sending over such gorgeous summer days.

Stopping in to see how you are doing.... a wee bit better?? Congrats on the great auction!

Can't talk, I believe. Nothing to say, I do not believe. That was meant to be a funny, huh?

Oh Cee!!! I'm so sorry to read you're under the weather!! :(

Hope you are back to feeling spry soon!

PS... Sam is a beautiful girl! You must be so proud!

Hope you've turned the corner and things are looking up.

I think today is the day I finally "turned the corner". I always feel better in the morning, but today I feel a LOT better. Coughing is under control with a new expectorant cough medicine and I feel like a weight has been lifted (coughed up, at last).

>53 Smiler69: Hi Ilana!
It took awhile, but I think I'm seeing this cold in the rear view mirror now. I refuse to catch anything else and expect to be 100% healthy for a good long time now.

>54 mckait: >56 mckait: >58 mckait: >61 mckait: Hey Kath! It was not an easy time, but every chance I got I crawled into bed (loaded with elixirs) and slept my way back to normal - almost. The day of the auction was exhausting - followed by 2 days of laryngitis and feeling like absolute crap! But I had to be there and it was a success - there is a cost for everything. It was outside, of course, and the weather was beautiful. I was sitting with a few others who had already had this dreaded disease and managed not to cough on anyone. Don't think I did any damage to anyone's health... except mine. Ron regressed also. We were a couple of sick puppies... recovered and looking for mischief now *grin*

>55 Crazymamie: Thanks for stopping by, Mamie :-) Apparently Ron decided this cold was the perfect thing to share. He's so sweet :ppp At least we had each other to commiserate together. Most of the time it was a coughing duel. We had the ambulance chief offer to come over to give us both nebulizer treatments. We declined but wondered if we should have agreed. I think we're good now. Whew! What an ordeal.

>57 Berly: >63 Berly: Oh! Kim! Thanks so much for all the supplies. It was enough to get us through. So, almost 2 weeks into this, I see the light at the end of the tunnel and am hoping it is not another train! I feel lucky since some people had this 3 weeks+. One woman landed in the hospital with a lung infection and a 94 y/o is on oxygen at home - not doing well.

>60 sibylline: Hi Lucy - Thanks for visiting the sick... you are earning your heavenly reward ;-) Today is absolutely beautiful - and is the first day of the rest of my life (which I thought was gonna end last Sunday). So, now I have to do all those things I neglected around here and get this house back in some sort of order.

>62 TinaV95: Tina! Spry is a little strong to describe how I feel today - but oh, so much better. At last. Sam is a sweetheart (grandmother's view). Her Mom thinks she is a 14 y/o tazmanian devil w/ attitude. I just don't see it. I am proud of her because she is growing into a sensitive, intelligent, wise, loving, and lovely young lady. Credit to her Mom and Dad, for sure.

*******************************************
I actually finished a book! I loved it :-)
#39 The Girl Who Sang to the Buffalo by Kent Nerburn (4.5 stars)



A sensitive exploration of Indian life and spirituality by an excellent story teller. And there was snow!

Oh yay! You're finally better! Very happy for you. xx

Thanks, Ilana :-)
Now if you could get better too.... that would be super great!
Hope today is one of your good days. Germ-free Hugs!

Sorry, but no go. Had a monster migraine early in the day Fiorinal only partially worked and it's been an awful day. I'll be taking Coco for a walk shortly and calling it a day. All I can think about is getting horizontal. At least one of us is doing better, so that's something. xx

Sorry you were so sick, Cee, but glad you're feeling better! Congrats on a successful auction -- and you read a good book, too!

Glad to know you're feeling better, Cee, and that Ron is too. Now just hold on to that health until, oh, maybe January.

You do lots of volunteering! I only do a bit...did much more in my 40's, and now really try to take time for myself. But that's just me.

Have a cool and wonderful weekend, Cee.

Did you jump into the sea to become a mermaid?

I am considering it. No sea is my problem.

So glad you are feeling better--those colds are simply miserable!

#40 Nine Lives to Die by Rita Mae Brown 2.5 stars (ER win)



Oh, how I love cats, trying to figure out what they are thinking, and reading about their interactions with humans. Having a mild interest in mysteries, I've been wanting to read one of Rita Mae Brown's books for awhile now. I knew it would not be serious detective work and it wasn't. It could have been silly and fun. I was really disappointed though that the animal observations and discoveries were barely linked to human understanding and solving the mysteries. Instead, the animals squabbled amongst each other and the humans were busy leading their disjointed social and/or dysfunctional lives. Well, I'm glad I finally read one of these books by Brown but I don't expect I'll be enticed by another.

>67 Smiler69: Well, Loki has been kinda naughty lately (pestering the cat, barking too much, and pooping at the bottom of the stairs - inside!), so we took him for a nice loooong, tiring walk. We've been trying to get by with short walks while we were not feeling well. I think that was a mistake. It's such a beautiful day today - a nice breezy summer day that is not too hot or humid ;-) Hope you have been resting and feeling better.

>68 tymfos: Hi Terri, I did read a v good book :) followed by a meh book :(
Oh well, they can't all be spectacular. At least I didn't have to pay for the last book as it was an ER win. And now my curiosity is satisfied about the Rita Mae Brown books.

>69 Matke: Gail, Ron and I have always done some level of volunteering - but I think it's a bit too much lately. We are both in conflict and need to find a happy balance now that we are retired. I think we both want to do too much - until we actually DO it. Then we realize we need to slow down gradually and squeeze in a few fun relaxing things instead. I guess you learn how to live life as you go along - and as you get to a point you think you might have it figured out, something changes!

>70 mckait: Hmm.... being a mermaid would be interesting. Sam looks like a mermaid in my July photo in #4. Don't you think? She's cooling off in the Farmington River after a hard day at work. Poor dear.

>71 ronincats: Hi Roni! Why is it summer colds are so nasty? Maybe the warm weather makes more germs and it takes more effort to kill them off. At any rate, I feel like I am addicted to Nyquil. I tried to get away without it last night. Got coughing and felt all my aches and pains... finally gave in and guzzled the cold med. Always hoping it will be the last time. I do feel good during the day though.

So glad to hear you are much better, Cee. I keep lemons and honey in my pantry in case of nasty summer and winter colds. I've make barley and lemon drinks in a large pitcher in the summer at the very inkling of a potential sore throat. My mom used to make it for us when we were kids, and this home remedy works wonders and keeping a full-fledged sore throat at bay.

She certainly is a beauty, and yes, she does!!

#41 My Notorious Life: A Novel by Kate Manning (4.8 stars)



This was a fabulous read! An historical novel based on real life events and people this story primarily depicts women's lives in the late 19th century. The main character, Axie Muldoon, is strong and colorful rising from her childhood as a train orphan in abject poverty to Madame X - a notorious and falsely accused midwife in NYC. She is an angel to frightened pregnant women and families - dispensing information and quality medical care. She threatens the status quo and power of men - becoming a scandal in a severely unbalanced culture.

Axie pulls no punches and has a straightforward view of life. She is family oriented, kind to women - suspicious of men. Her motto is to never trust a man who says "Trust me"... and for good reason. Logical and clear-headed, she is also quick to see the humor of a situation. While pregnant with her daughter, she observes
"My stomach was so large now it could have its own moon."

This is a well written, page-turning, honest account of the struggle to address women's poverty, misery, poor health and death resulting from the lack of resources and family planning. Much anguish can be relieved and more comfortable family life maintained with some basic sex education and simple products that are illegal, banned, and scorned through gross ignorance and fear in the late 1800s time period.... and, unfortunately, still an issue today.
Highly recommended.

>74 cameling: Caro, I wish I was as adventurous as you when it comes to strange concoctions. Never heard of barley and lemon mix for sore throats. Though I love both, not sure I would like them together. It would probably be better for me than the plethora of cold medicines I subjected myself to. Probably cheaper too. Being a virus, this illness just had to run its miserable course.

>75 mckait: I think you might like My Notorious Life since it is well steeped in midwifery. I have to pass it on to someone else in my book club though as it was given to our book club by the author and I am the first to read it. It has a long way to go. I'm so glad we had a connection to Kate Manning and she did that. It was a really good book. Maybe your library could get it?

*********************
Big crash in the bathroom last night! Our medicine cabinet fell (jumped?) off the wall into my arms! What a mess... scared us all. It's been up there for 8 years. And no, I was not swinging from it or climbing up it. Wrecked the wall - pulled the mollies right out and left 2 big holes!?! Must have been all that cold medicine we had packed in there. Sheesh!

Also, the faucet in the laundry room gave out so we decided to replace the whole vanity/sink/faucet. Waiting for the plumber to squeeze us in. I was just waiting for this to happen so we could get a new set-up in there :-)

Kinda worried about things happening in threes :{

Getting muggy today - ick. Expecting storms and hope it clears the air. 61 days till the Autumnal Equinox... just sayin'

Sheesh! Didn't you just renovate the bathroom a year or two ago? Or is this a different bathroom? I can imagine that must have been kind of traumatic.

Sorry the Rita Mae Brown didn't work for you, but then seems like you hit a winner with your latest read, so yay.

August is just around the corner and I'm looking forward to a visit from someone I like very very much...

I'm doing ok, hanging in there. I shouldn't complain because I can rest, sleep, mope, lie about and generally be up to no good as much as I want when I'm not feeling well, unlike most people who actually have responsibilities and have to take care of people. My little gang is very forgiving, as long as I open up their tins of food more or less around the same time of day and remember to take out the canine, also more or less around the same times, and he's not demanding as far as length of walk either, so they're all very easy on me, bless them.

Yikes.. I'm glad you weren't hurt when your medicine cabinet committed suicide, Cee. Wow .. how many bottles of cold meds did you have in there?! ;-)

Thanks Cee. I just emailed the info on that one to Bernie and now I will hope she buys it :)

I am not only tired, I am tired anticipating tomorrow! :P
Friday the ladies of the two libraries will be having lunch at Kelly's

My Notorious Life sounds fascinating. I'll have to look for it.

Thank goodness you were there to catch your medicine cabinet! How odd! I'll be more watchful now when I'm near mine.

Sorry to hear you have been ill, and in being so caused a bathroom cabinet collapse. The perils of the common cold are far-reaching it seems! Glad you were there to catch it and were quick enough to do so rather than be squished by it.

At bookclub the other night (a few weeks ago in fact) the front part of an old liquor cabinet jumped open and scared us all half to death. Memories of earthquakes are not easy to quell it seems. Maybe the poltergoose is doing the rounds!!!

We have just stocked up on Red Seal Herbal Elixir here. Loaded with Irish moss and licorice extract, it packs a punch. W wont touch it no matter how bad his cough gets, but L will guzzle it by the teaspoon-load. Any 'food' will do for him.

Watch out for flying cabinets.... and have a happy day, Cee :)

And Megan... I need to learn more about that Red Seal Herbal Elixir!

Medicine cabinets are not meant to jump off walls.

>78 Smiler69: yeah, Ilana. Different bathroom. This cabinet will never fall down again - unless the whole house goes. We put in 8 long screws (most of them in studs) to hang it back up!
You do have a lovely little gang and I'm hoping to get a chance to meet at least Coco. I think it's time for me to start planning what to pack and what to eat. I would love to go out to restaurants all week but that won't work with Sam needing gluten-free foods. I expect the day before Sam joins me I will stuff myself with all the goodies I can find that she can't have - then go find a supermarket to get the stuff she can safely eat. I'm getting excited! A vacation, at last.

>79 cameling: I know, Caro. I wondered afterward why I didn't get hurt. I guess my adrenaline rushed in and made me super strong and responsive. The cabinet itself is so heavy nothing inside could have made a difference. It just got tired, I guess.

>80 mckait: Today is out to lunch at Kelly's day for you and the library ladies! Yay! I imagine there will be plenty to talk about. Maybe you can stay for supper, too ;-)

>81 Copperskye: Ha! I'm sorry if I have made you afraid of our medicine cabinet, Joanne. I would think suicidal cabinets are rare. I just thought it was strange that it lasted 8 years before it decided to jump. But then, I'm still trying to understand cats, dogs and husbands. That's enough for me.

>82 LovingLit: "The perils of the common cold are far-reaching it seems!" LOL, Megan!
Hmm... I never thought of an earthquake. But then, why would I? I feel bad for those who have left-over trauma after experiencing them. You just never know and have no warning. Scary.
I'm with W on the Red Seal Herbal Elixir! I'll sneak my portion over to L. Isn't it funny how two siblings can be so different? I used to call my oldest daughter "thimble belly" since she ate so little when she was small. Then #2 came along and ate us out of house and home! They were both active and thin - but their eating habits were so different.

>83 mckait: Kath - our medicine cabinet has had its wings clipped! It's more than secure now. Thanks for your concern though :-)

>84 EBT1002: Thanks for setting me straight on that, Ellen. I was beginning to wonder! lol You learn something new every day - even when you are old... like, you really need to hit the studs because you can't trust molly bolts!

*********************
Nice and chilly last night - another beautiful day today.
We have a big event coming up on Sunday and I fear a little about the weather. It's a big arts event - outdoors, by the sea, under tents. There is a possibility of heat, humidity, and thunder storms. I hope they are wrong, wrong, wrong.

I'm on the hunt for simple, black sandals that are comfortable enough to walk around the world - or at least Montreal. So far, I have bought and returned 4 pairs :p Now, I'm gonna get serious!

Currently reading Marmee and Louisa and am getting more and more upset with Louisa's father who is a Class A Jerk!

Also stared The Secret River - just because it's on my Kindle and small enough to hold in bed, as well as back lit so I can read in the dark. Wish they had Kindles when I was a kid! Ha!

Dear Cee - I think that somehow your Coastal Maine coughs and heavy colds have managed to wing across the oceans to connect with me in tropical Malaysia. The whole week has been a wheezy, spluttering haze, but just the thought of the weekend has cheered me up no end.

Trust that the weekend finds you back to the finest of form. I have missed visiting here as often as I would like as RL has tended to kick me in the guts recently. It is great to be back. xx

I certainly didn't think I was telling you anything you didn't already know - LOL
Sometimes we need to remind the universe of these small details. Heh.

No supper. A nice, spicy bloody mary to start off though.. and once we were shushed ( and we were eating outside!)

MUST read Marmee and Louisa.

>85 -Cee-: Cee....I found some really cool, VERY VERY comfortable (a tad expensive) pair of Dansko sandals at Lamy Wellihans in Brunswick. They were so comfy I ended up buying two pair -a multi colored to wear to son's wedding (I danced even in them) and plain black for everything else. They have quite a selection at the store.

>86 PaulCranswick: Hi Paul,
Thanks for visiting :-) I do hope your weekend has been more relaxing than you could imagine and that the cold germs have given up.
My weekend is busy with a book signing at the historical society yesterday (I collected the money for the sales, etc) and an bi-annual Celebration of Arts today that I always seem to get involved in. Just wish I was an artist of some sort to take advantage of it. We allow all artists and craftspeople in town to display their wares (and sell if they want to). Free space, tents, tables, chairs, live music, lots of help setting up/taking down, free food, and beautiful venue by the sea ... no obligation. Just come. Doesn't get any better than that for an artist I think.

>87 EBT1002: As I get older, I sometimes think I know a lot. I keep getting reminders that that is not so. There's more to know and learn than can fit in a lifetime. See, I share these experiences with everyone to help get in the odd tidbits... like "Medicine cabinets are not meant to jump off walls." So, thanks for helping me make that clear ;-) You have a nice way of cutting to the chase - heh
Re Scotland trip: Any room in your suitcase for me? I'm well behaved and quite quiet.

>88 mckait: Hi Kath,
A bloody Mary sounds great to me right now. It would fortify me for the Celebration of Art. I have to leave very soon and I don't really want to go. I will be a floater to the artists - getting them anything they need, relieving them if they want to walk around, etc, etc. We are supposed to have thunder storms. Blech. Well... gotta just put on my happy face which is getting a bit worn. I'm complaining now, but I will probably enjoy myself till it's time to clean up. Sigh.

>89 tututhefirst: Hi TutuTina!
I did try that store (which I do love) awhile ago. The day I went in it was crowded and I guess I was not in the mood to tackle shoe shopping. I wound up going to Freeport and getting a simple black sandal on sale... orig $80 marked down to $28. They are comfy and I think will do for now.

*******************
OK. I'm off! Would rather read in the comfort of my home - but no can do today. (Walking around looking for my happy face and grumbling...)

Cee, I am with you. My happy face is pretty worn, too. I just don't know if it will hold up through the next 2 weeks. My friends here at LT are sure to help with that...!

Hi Cee--I am glad your psychic powers and superwoman strength saved the suicidal medicine cabinet. Phew! Good luck shoe shopping.

So, hopefully you have today off and you don't HAVE to smile at anyone, and that you have a nece relaxing week!

>91 mckait: Sigh... all that complaining for nuthin'. I actually had a good time at the Celebration of Art Sunday. Came home tired and broke. I bought a pastel original from one of the town artists and a wooden bowl turned from a cherry burl by a friend who had so many awesome wooden things to choose from I had a hard decision.
Anyhoo - my smiley face didn't crack. whew.

>92 Berly: Kim - I was most happy that the mirror on the inside of the cabinet door did NOT break. Call me superstitious, but I don't want 7 years of bad luck :{
I did find some basic black sandals at a good price that look to be well made. I wore them for a day and had no problems. I did have to have Ron make an extra hole for me on the strap since they were a bit loose. Perfect now!

>93 mckait: I was so tired today... not sure why. Didn't sleep well the last couple nights due to high humidity. It was cool, but the sheets felt like they had been left out in the rain. ick.
This week I have to get the TIDE crew together and get that TIDE out again! Glad this only comes once every 2 months instead of twice a day! Luckily, there are tides and there are TIDES.
Went to the wharf tonight and had the most delicious haddock I can remember... grilled to perfection, light and flaky - and so fresh!
Hope your week is not too horrendous. Summer has been stressful for me too. I can hardly wait for my vacation. 2 more weeks!

Here are the sandals I bought... but I got them in black.
Simple - comfy

>90 -Cee-: Sounds ideal! Wish I could find a gig like that around here.

>95 -Cee-: Nice! Glad to see you found some good sandals..

It looks like we both had a long hard week, but it's over-ish.

right?

>96 ronincats: Hi Roni,
I know, huh? That's why I'm trying to figure out an art thing I could do! I guess my art is serving others.

>97 mckait: Kath, it seems like every week is a hard one in the summer for me. Too many events going on - not much relaxing - slightly too much humidity and heat (this year not so bad - so far).
btw, the TIDE went out this morning :-)
Yes... the week is over-ish. Next week another busy one. My darling sister is coming over Sunday-Monday. :p~ Author event at the book club to coordinate on Tuesday, setting up and attending a concert at the GHS on Friday evening, and Working League Fair on Saturday where I will be flipping burgers all afternoon. After that I have 3 days to get ready for vacation... then off to Canada. I pray I don't miss that train!

My darling sister is coming over Sunday-Monda

Sorry...about the sister, but the rest of the week sounds fun.

It probably will be fun, Kath. And I think it's spread out enough so I can get some rest in-between.

I'm beginning to feel like I'll never be fully rested again. I get that way every summer. Nights lately have been cool - but humid. Ya know... that summer sea air. Waiting for the cold, crisp nights :-D
52 days till autumn...

You know what? I feel the same. Just always tired, add in anxious and that describes me lately. We have Dan's reunion coming up and I am hoping that will be fun. There are people from that Class I hope to spend time with

Today feels like a perfect summer day. 75 F - sweet seabreeze - sunny - dry. Am I getting to like summer a little bit this year? We've been very lucky weather-wise this year. No heat waves... yet.

Kath - You are going to a class reunion? And you are looking forward to it? wow. I hope I never go to one again. But I was never enamored of my high school classmates - maybe because I wasn't allowed to have "friends". Hope you have a great time... what town is Dan's alma mater in?

Today - dunno. I have a small mountain of laundry to do. So that and reading on the deck? We'll see.

Love the sandals Claudia. I think my friend Kristyna got similar ones, also in black and I was coveting them because I've gotten lots of 'walking' sandals over the last few years which are very comfy, sure, but oh-so-ugly! These are simple, look comfy, and still manage to be elegant.

The sandals look very comfy and stylish--nicely done! I love summer, but it sure does get hectic. The kids are home and I am trying to keep them occupied, balance work and play for me. There is no consistent schedule either which drives me crazy. But I love the sunshine. : )

Blah blah blah. Whatever you say, there's no way I'm missing you when you come to Montreal. I'd be way too miserable if I did. So there. A little bit of pain isn't the end of the world compared to meeting someone I've grown to like so much. It would be a real punishment otherwise, and you won't convince me otherwise.

Drive-by hello, Cee!

Great sandals.

Not mine, Dan's. Kinda.
Another L-O-N-G day

Hey Cee... I'm glad that you are feeling better and glad that you didn't get clocked in the head when the medicine cabinet decided to jump off the wall!! What the heck?!?

That had to have been super scary!

>103 Smiler69: >105 Smiler69: Thanks, Ilana. I didn't want to get sandals that were too, too pretty/dressy/expensive. I did see a lot of others that I loved - but not for walking around a city.
Well, if you need a dog/cat-sitter when I get there, Sam and I will be all too willing. But I'm hoping very fervently that we will meet and hit the market or something. Maybe a bookstore? or lunch out? We'll see what the weather is - make it sunny and cool :-)

>104 Berly: Thanks, Kim. Wow... you manage to get in play time for yourself? Good going! I think I forgot how to play :-{
otoh, even tho I get involved in way too much, I am learning to make it fun.

>106 tymfos: Hi Terri,
Thanks! Nice car...

Hi Kath,
Hope you got all your calls today - incl your traveling son.
I did a lot of nothing today. Mother Nature was kind again today. I finished my two books that I was reading - both good. Now I can't decide what to read. And I have to pick out something for my trip.
I'm trying to familiarize myself with Montreal stuff. That's one huge city! Maybe I should have gotten roller skates instead of sandals.

>108 TinaV95: Hi Tina,
Oh yeah! It was scary. I didn't realize the sucker was so dang heavy. It hasn't budged a millimeter since it went back up. I think it might have scared itself! lol

*********************
So. Cell phones are totally useless!
I bought a TracFone for my trip to Canada - was told by a friend it was same price for international calls as local. She knew because she called Peru. Well... as it turns out... I can call from the US to tons of countries (incl Canada). But I can't call anywhere or receive any calls from anywhere once I cross the border. :pppppppppp

What good is it? NG.

#42 Marmee & Louisa by Eve LaPlante (4 stars)

Interesting. Read this for my book club. Author coming Tuesday to talk with us.

#43 The Secret River by Kate Grenville (4.5 stars)

Excellent book. This is a story about the settling of "New South Wales" by the condemned English convicts in lieu of being hung. In particular, the main characters are a young family trying to earn freedom, respect, and property. The challenges they encountered were similar to the white settlement of America.

Well written with a sensitivity of both sides and the ensuing sadness. It was engaging to the end. Recommended.

Did I wave to you? If not: HI!!

When do you leave again, Cee? You aren't gone are you.

>111 connie53: Hi Sis! Waving across the sea...

>112 mckait: Still here. Leaving the 13th - a week from Wednesday. Will be home the 24th... If they let me back into the country.

Good. Talk before you go, maybe???

Happy trip, Sis!

Waves

>114 mckait: Sure

>115 connie53: Thanks, Sis!

>116 mckait: Hearty wave back at ya! Hope things are calming down a bit.

Not much news here... except I am counting down to vacation :-) I'm making up a notebook of stuff I'm pulling off the internet about Montreal since I won't bring my laptop with me. Can't carry too much. This is where taking a car and driving up would come in handy - to have lots of room. No matter. I'll live without modern tech. Frankly, I'll miss my furkidz more than my laptop.

I'm reading The Dalai Lama's Cat - cleverly written with the cat as narrator.

Also reading Patchwork Planet by Anne Tyler. Haven't gotten too far yet. The main character has to clean up his act - and himself. Haven't lost faith in him yet. I think it's doable.

Hope everyone has a great Thursday :-)

But, but, but... how will post photos of Coco on your thread if you don't bring the laptop over?? ;-)

Really looking forward to your visit too. I'm getting a massage on the evening of the 14, which should provide some relief just in time for your arrival, though I might be stoned on Fiorinal, fyi. xx

Hi Ilana,
Pictures will have to wait till I get home anyway. I have no clue how to get them off the camera. Ron does that for me. I know. I'm spoiled.

Oh. Wish I was getting a massage too. It's been a long time since the last one. Hope it makes you feel better - and is relaxing. On the rare occasions I indulge, I come away a new person.

Looking at the weather forecast for Montreal and getting a bit nervous about the heat. Please blast the air conditioning before I get up there. LOL Maybe I need a new section in my notebook on a/c places to visit in the city. There's always the SL River if I get desperate. Won't be far from it.

I'm getting excited. Woohoo! I'm thinking the looooong train ride will calm me down before I get there. Have never been on a train that long - 11 hours. yikes!

That train ride makes for lots of enforced reading time, aren't you excited about that? That's how I look at any extended period when there's not much else one can do, and have done ever since I had my crazy executive job, when commuting was the only blessed time when I was out of reach of that blasted mobile and email which plagued me every single second and I could just relax and read for more than three minutes in a row.

There's A/C almost everywhere here. Probably not as violent as it is in the States so you don't usually need to wear sweaters or coats indoors in summertime, but still. So far I must say we've had very few really hot days. A couple last week, but it's nice and cool again. Really hope for your sake and mine it keeps up this way.

I should be getting monthly massages really to help with the migraines and stop looking at them as a luxury. A certain amount is covered by my insurance, but then my shoulders and neck are constantly tense and they do really help, but it just feels like such a huge indulgence. I'm being fitted out for a mouth guard (not sure that's the right term?), next week, which the insurance is partly covering (very $$$ otherwise) because I grind my teeth. So between the magnesium I've just started, the Topamax I've been taking for almost 4 weeks, the mouth guard, the massages, I'd say that's a whole new course of treatment for the migraines, wouldn't you? Nobody can say I'm not at least trying things. And then there's the Fiorinal, though I can't say that's 100% effective anyway, but it's something. *sigh*. Not too too bad right now. Starts off really slight early on and then as the day progresses and as brain activity increases...

I definitely want to go to Atwater Market with you, and then want to take you to The Word bookstore, which should be a separate outing, my favourite used bookstore for literature, always a good selection and a small pleasant shop and then Indigo books, which is a large chain store, but quite beautiful and dab smack downtown where all the shopping is. So you won't get rid of me so easily, see?

:-D

Getting psyched! Yes, I do intend to do some major reading in the train. My eyes, however, tire easily. I may need to make a few trips to the snack car ;-) I wonder if I will be able to take a quick nap?

I'm prepared to deal gracefully (more or less) with heat or rain. The market and book stores sound wonderful. I just know at the end of the week I won't want to go home and will be looking forward to another trip to see and do all the things I won't get to. I told Ron to be prepared. I'll be making note of things we need to do together when I can manage to get him up there.

I believe tension can trigger migraines. Many times I would have a tension headache that would evolve into a migraine. Ha! I had the mouth guard myself when I was in my twenties... mostly because Ron had a hard time listening to my grinding. I ground right through the dang thing. Was I tense? lol I don't think I grind my teeth anymore. Insurance only covered it when my dentist wrote a letter saying it wa damaging my teeth and causing marital anguish (or something like that).

You are trying very hard to control this affliction that has you in its grip. I give you credit for that! Try to stay positive. It's not easy.
Hugs xoxo

Groan.... loooong day at the fair flipping hamburgers - then off to an out-of-town birthday party. And oh! what did I finally realize this morning right before leaving for the fair? The b'day party was pot luck! oy.
So, we made a quick trip to the store for shrimp... and what did I notice right next to the shrimp? A cute little octopus sitting in a salad. So I bought that for the centerpiece of my shrimp platter :-)

Anywho... I finished two books last night:

#44 A Patchwork Planet by Anne Tyler 4.4 stars

My first book by her, but not my last! I was disenchanted with the main character for awhile - which I guess I was meant to be - and actually grew to like him a lot by the end of the book. There were many meaningful reflections on relationships: parent/child, marriage, family, friends. A young man of 30 looks for his "angel" (family tradition) to turn his miserable life around and slowly begins to realize what is really important. Good story.

#45 The Dalai Lama's Cat by David Michie 4.6 stars

Funny and reverent. Now this is bringing Buddhism down to my level! I'll need to read it a few more times though to remember again and again things like: to be in the moment (mindfulness), to realize that to every sentient creature their life is most important to them, and we need to care for others more than ourselves to attain happiness... etc. Nothing new here, but HHC (His Holiness' Cat) has true cat-itude while still being a loving character learning her lessons.

Edited to change the sex of the cat. Sheesh! It's a girl cat.
I don't usually re-read my own posts but something drew me back to here. sigh.

Caroline seems to be influencing your food choices....
Good job remembering your pot luck in time!

#45 sounds good!

I own a Tyler or two.. still on the TBR mountain....

I'm tired, too. And relieved that I'm off tomorrow.

I think you're right, Kath. I did think of Caro when I bought it. Never fear though... I did not eat it. Maybe I should have tried a little.

I think you would like HHC.

Both your latest books sound great to me. I have read several by Tyler but not that one!

Hi Kim! Nice of you to stop by :-)
Since you have more experience with Tyler than I, what book by her do you recommend I read next?
There are a few other books by David Michie that look good too. Good humor. I'm thinking of getting Hurry Up and Meditate by him. My mind does too much racing. I need to calm it down and focus - stop worrying about everything - settle into some peace or something. I'm better in winter, but summer gets me all wound up. If we get enough snow this year, I might just build myself an igloo, sit in it, and chant! LOL. Does it sound like I'm needing a vacation??? Yup. Day after tomorrow I'll be taking off... yay!

Yay for two books you loved in a row! Would you believe I haven't read any Anne Tyler yet? I have Breathing Lessons on the good ol' tbr somewhere. Will have to make room for it sometime, I know she is quite loved in these parts.

Gosh, I hope I don't grind through my mouth guard, sheesh! Won't be much point then, will it, since I'm not getting it so much to protect my teeth, but to stop me grinding in the first place. Getting fitted out for the thing tomorrow. So exciting. Not.

Have fun on your trip! Hope you found a way to have a phone.

>120 Smiler69: I'm on daily Topamax and Magnesium for my migraines as well. The combination has worked wonders for me, but it took a while for the meds to get in my system. I still have migraines, but usually only a few a month as opposed to multiple times per week / almost daily. I try to get a massage at least once a month (I'm in a 'club' at a place called Massage Envy where membership is a set price of like $60 a month and then you can get extra massages at a reduced rate). I certainly feel better when I am doing massage regularly, but I feel bad spending the money for twice a month. If I at least go once a month I feel I'm taking advantage of my membership money, but I surely feel better and have less tension turning to migraine headaches when I go more often... **Ending unsolicited opinion / advice. :)

>127 Smiler69: So. There's another thing that old age is good for. I no longer grind my teeth. And yes, I do still have teeth! haha
Good luck with your fitting.
I decided (again) to bring The Power of One with me on the train. Only this time I am more positive since I read a bit of it today and it's quite good... and so far the boy is only 5 years old! I got drawn in right away. I think it's even worth carrying a book that is a bit large. I won't have to carry it far.

>128 TinaV95: Hi Tina! Thanks. The phone situation is all taken care of... after much ado.
Just adding my 2 cents... I LOVE massages and with the right therapist they work wonders. It is not a luxury as much as a necessity for those of us who are anxious/tense/wrapped too tight/depressed/normal. Just the aroma therapy is to die for!
I just might need a serious massage after spending a week with a 14 y/o! LOL Nah. I love my Sam.

ETA: The LT oracle says I probably will NOT like The Power of One.
Ha! That clinches it! I'm taking it with me.

>128 TinaV95: Thanks Tina, encouraging to know the Topamax/Magnesium combo is working for you. And I figure more or less regular massage treatments cannot do any harm to be sure. I found a very good therapeutic masseuse who comes to my home with her table and I can deduct up to a certain amount per year with my insurance, so really, I'd be crazy not to take advantage of it, and there have been years were haven't. Go figure.

>129 -Cee-: I'm sure I'm not alone in finding that Bryce Courtenay has a way of spinning a great yarn, and I found this particular book made for pretty compelling reading... listening in this case, but same thing. Mind you, the author chose Aussie narrator Humphrey Bower to record all his books (click on the link to listen to a sample) and I really love listening to him, so it certainly doesn't hurt in my appreciation of his books! Re the LT oracle: good for you for being contrary! I haven't checked that thing for ages. I'll have to start doing so again, just for the heck of it.

Hi Cee, I'm so happy that you liked your first Anne Tyler book! I recently reread a couple of her books that I had read years and years ago and loved them just as much this time around. One or two of her books were a bit of a disappointment, but the ones I liked, I really liked.

Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant was even better the second time. I appreciated it more now as an adult type person rather than the twenty-something I was the first time around.

Have a great trip!!

Ilana,
I used to check the LT oracle for fun. Haven't for awhile - so I thought I'd try it again. It didn't disappoint! Ha. I was already liking this book. So there you have it!

Hi Joanne!
Oh, right! I think I have Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant and I remember you liked it. Thanks for reminding me.

I am all packed and will be leaving early tomorrow morning! Yay!
First I have to go to NY to catch the train. So, I'm staying in a lovely B&B somewhat near the train station. Who wants to call me really early in the morning on Thursday to wake me up??? About 6am. Can't miss that train!

Not taking my laptop. Will be back around the 25th... Till then,

Blessings and good reading wished for y'all!

Geez, is today the day already? Have fun, be safe and take pictures!!!
hugs

Happy trails! Wishing you safe and pleasant travels.

I hope you're taking pictures of all the fun you're having...

Ceeeeee! It's been soooo long! and then I discover you're going to be away for abit. Oh, well, I hope you have a fabulous time!

Meetup pic!

I'm posting this on behalf of Claudia since she doesn't have access to a computer until next Friday.



So that's Claudia and me & Coco earlier today at Montreal's Atwater Market. I suggested we meet up at my place initially as it's just a 10 minute walk from there. The photo was taken by the lovely 14 year-old Sam, Claudia's granddaughter. We were going to have more photos taken later with Sam in there, but of course forgot all about it. We ended up spending quite a bit of time at the farmer's market, getting some fruit and cheeses and other fresh goodies and then having a late lunch in the food court where there's a really popular Thai place. We had mixed satai with shrimp and chicken grilled skewers and a green papaya salad for Claudia and I. The adults talked books & more while Sam had her head buried in The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: The Mysterious Howling which I'd given her, along with Chasing Vermeer. We had a lovely time and plan to get together again on Monday to go to The Word, a second hand English language bookstore specializing in literature.

Sounds like a wonderful day!

What a great picture! Have fun!

Great pic, Cee and Ilana! Sounds like a good day indeed. You both obviously are good reading role models for Sam.

Wonderful meet-up picture!
Hope you are having a great time Cee!

Great photo!

Meetup #2 pics

 

Tuesday was a proper LT meetup, i.e. a traditional bookstore outing at not one, but two stores, one second-hand shop called The Word, and one independent bookstore called Paragraphe. We got books, of course, plus an Alice bag each; the Mad Hatter is on the other side.

Just dropping by quickly. Great to see that you had a nice meet-up!

I love seeing you have a nice time!

Home soon, I think? Hope your trip was fabulous!

Oh my... where do I start? Got home last night and crashed today.

It was a super great vacation and meeting Ilana (and her furkidz) was a real treat. Sam and I got along beautifully. We didn't do nearly all that I had anticipated. I learned that being old makes city vacations tiring. I look pretty exhausted in the picture in >143 Smiler69:. And truth be told, I was. Poor little Coco was too - but he was a trooper! Ilana and Sam never seemed to show signs of wear - always beautiful and good to go.

The week flew by! No surprises there. The weather was perfectly fine - just a sprinkle of rain here and there the first few days. Nice Canadian temps all week :-)

Sam and I are two peas in a pod when it comes to sleeping, eating, and reading. So, the pace was good for both of us. I never got teen attitude, just a lot of love. She's so sweet. I'm thankful for our quality time.

Ilana's apartment is just what you might expect - homey, warm, full of books, and inviting. She makes the best homemade lemonade! We got to meet the famous Coco (of course) and the kitties!
I must find a way to steal Montreal's Atwater Market and move it to Maine. I kept thinking (and probably said a few times), I wish we had a market like this at home. Our trip to two book stores a couple days later was fun. We went to a used and new book store that was a wonderful hole-in-the-wall near McGill University. I wanted to look at everything and buy half of everything but knew I'd have to carry home whatever I bought. And books tend to be heavy. Thanks, Ilana for the cool book bag you got me. I wanted one too but could not decide. You picked out the best one and I'm loving it. It was a help getting home.

I wound up buying:
Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki by Murakami
The Crimson Fairy Book by Andrew Lang
The Travels of Marco Polo by one and the same...

and a few books for Sam that she wanted. Ilana also gave her two books. Neither one of us minded the long train ride home ;-)

I started and finished reading The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay on my trip and loved it! Thanks for the recommendation, Ilana. I wasn't sure I would like it. I'm glad I trusted your opinion ;-)
Sam got her required summer reading done too. So, you see, we both managed to fit in reading very nicely. Oh! I love that kid!

Sorry I do not have additional pictures right now. (Heh, not really all that sorry.) They are all on Sam's camera. I'll have to get them somehow, I guess. Just did not have a chance yet.

Very tired last night and tonight... getting to bed early again. Beautiful summer evening - nice and cool for sleeping. Yes!

Thanks to all who visited while I was gone. I'll get to individual responses tomorrow.

*yawn*

Yay! You had a fun time in Montreal. What a fun traveling companion you had. Sam can probably e-mail her pictures, and Ron can take it from there. I'm so envious about the three meet-ups with Ilana and Coco. She sounds like a marvelous tour guide. Rest up, Cee! Thanks to both you and Ilana for sharing your adventures together.

So glad that you're home.. glad you had a fab time with Sam and a reminder.... just say NO! until you feel more rested. I too, hope that you get pics up of you two and your adventures :) If not? Yay that you had them.

Glad to see you had such a great Canadian trip!! Welcome home :)

>134 tymfos: >142 tymfos: Terri, It was happy trails and happy rails! I've decided I like train travel :-) You can thank Ilana for the photos. I would have been happy to completely forget about them. I know, however, it's nice to put faces to names and see happy meet-ups.

>135 mckait: >145 mckait: >148 mckait: Yes indeed, Kath - we did have wonderful adventures. Sam was the happy photographer and did take pictures. She took one picture of me through the cutout handle of the shopping bag she carried... silly girl! I'll try to get a few soon.
There isn't much I need to say "No" to anymore... summer is winding down. Quite warm today. Dang it! But autumn is on the horizon and in the night air. I'm happy for that.

>136 Carmenere: Lynnnnda! Hi, hi! We did have a fabulous time. I'll have to check up on you though. Why do I get the idea you've been having a tough time? Hope it's not so. Take care.

>137 Smiler69: >143 Smiler69: Bonjour, Ilana! Thanks so much for posting the pics and a bit about our adventures. We both looked better in the first picture, I think. The day we were at the bookstore I looked so tired. But I was having a great time. Your dress is playing tricks in that photo. That is not how wide you actually appeared to the world. I remember thinking how well you pulled off the horizontal stripes and thought you looked quite nice. The photo lies. I think when you reached over to me on one side and over to Coco on the other side the dress went with your arms and spread out the lines. Whatever. You always looked nice.

Claudia, you never said how long your train ride home took. How did the customs go this time? I was wondering what time you actually got home?

I'm so glad we got to see each other several times and do different things together. I was really hoping before you came that I would be well enough for that, but wasn't at all sure that would be the case, so it was a blessing nature cooperated. Sam is a dear girl and I'm glad you two had a good time together. I thought she endured our talk of LT extremely well considering it couldn't possibly include her.

I'm so glad you ended up loving The Power of One and surprised you finished it already. As I recall it's a pretty big book.

I guess you saw the comments I posted about myself about that pic on my thread. I really kind of gulp and have to brave it every time I look at it and concentrate on the two of us and how wonderful it was to spend time with you. And thanks for reassuring me that it was the dress playing tricks. I know for your part you didn't like the camera (phone, whatever) coming out at all, so you were really a good sport about it.

Once again, I was so glad the weather cooperated and you didn't have to deal with a heatwave. We've hardly had any of that this summer, so wouldn't have been right for it to arrive along with you. The last few days have been really lovely, sunny and not too hot, but I'm glad you're happy with what you got.

I'll miss being able to just call and get together within 30 minutes for a coffee or whatever, but at least we've got LT for now! xx

>138 drneutron: Hi Jim! Every day was wonderful. Sometimes on vacation there is a day that falls through on expectations, but that did not happen this time. I took a big chance going to a city I've never been to and taking my granddaughter - just the two of us. It was one of the best decisions I've ever made :-) Thanks for stopping by!

>139 Copperskye: Hey Joanne - thanks... Apparently your wish was my command :-) We did have lots of fun. The most memorable walk Sam and I did was going back to our apartment following a gay parade. She wanted to know how gay couples who wanted children managed that! Ha! That was quite a conversation :-)
Reminded me of the time her mother (my daughter) was walking into a grocery store with me when she was quite little and asked me how babies were born. Everyone around us seemed interested in what I would answer and was listening.
*sigh* Like mother, like daughter?

>140 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe. Sam inherited the reading gene. When she was a baby she would always have her nose in a book - even when I took her for a walk in her stroller!

>141 ChelleBearss: >149 ChelleBearss: Hi there, Mama Chelle! So nice to see you here. I had a great and memorable Canadian trip. Did not want to leave. It all went too fast. All my bones are intact and my fear of injury while vacationing has subsided substantially ;-) I still need to finish my NS vacation. Next time maybe I will get to meet your little one... hoping she is not growing too fast.

>144 SandDune: Hi Rhian! So glad you dropped by! Aren't LT meetups great? I love to see others meeting - and especially love when I can too. I need to do more of that.

>147 Donna828: Hi Donna - I do hope to have Sam's pictures emailed to me. If there is something good, I'll def share. In my past experience emailing pictures takes away some of the quality, but we'll give it a shot anyway.

*******************
Yikes... what happened here? It's 84 degrees! :p~
I'm going back to Canada!

Gotta find something to do in a/c somewhere. Maybe a movie? Oh no... I have a fire dept meeting tonight. :p~
I'll be staying in the shade for sure today.

>151 Smiler69: Oh Hi! You snuck a message in on me ;-)

The train ride home took about 11 hours. I didn't note the time exactly, but the customs check took about 1.5 hours. I love how they stop the train in the middle of nowhere (surrounded by cornfields). It was right around lunch time and they had to close the café car till customs was finished. Ah well. The ride itself was not bad at all. Of course, we both had a lot to read... hehe.

You were a wonderful hostess for Montreal! You took us places that we would never have gone on our own. Both bookstores were fun - the Atwater market I want for my own! - and Coco, too! Heh. It was wonderful to finally meet you in person. Thanks for being so accommodating and gracious. I do want to go back again sometime :-)

Power of One was a long book - and excellent. I was a bit worried it might be too heavy for vacation... but it was just right. I had lots of train time to polish it off. It also helped that Sam is a reader, too. There were times we both took a break from being tourists to just enjoy the apartment and do some reading. I took my Kindle for backup possibilities. Never touched it though. Why did I think I would be deprived of reading in a city??? Well, I guess readers panic to think that might be the case and over-prepare.

Hope someday you can come to visit Maine. I'm sure we will meet again :-)

Hugs to you and your little teddy bear - also Mimi and Ezra!

That me... sneaky! :-)

Yes, we shall me again. I thought I was a quite terrible hostess. Didn't you say so yourself, not knowing answers about Montreal history and whatnot? ;-)

I loved taking a train to NYC and back for all the reading time it offered and it's a very good thing you shared a ride with an avid reader. 1.5 hours sounds very reasonable. I remember being stopped somewhere very bleak where there was chicken wire topped by barb wire and some kind of bleak concrete block off in the distance and having visions of... well, not good things at all. My mind was going on a bad track, and as it was a very long stop, it had plenty of time to go haywire. On another hand, I remember I was reading a French biography about Catherine the Great, in preparation for an exhibit at the museum which was coming to Montreal.

Atwater Market is really great, so I see why you'd want your own version of it. There's another one in the city called Jean-Talon Market (smaller ones around too). The layout is completely different. I think it's larger, though in a different part of town that is difficult to access for me without a car. The one you visited is definitely one of the highlights of living where I do.

I'm so glad you got to meet Coco, though that was almost inevitable, since I bring him virtually everywhere. Cool that you got to meet my other beasties too, though I do wish Ezra hadn't been so obnoxious to Sam. He can be a real sweetie so much of the time, but he's a real scaredy cat, which makes him act like a, well, a beast sometimes. xx

>154 Smiler69: No, no, no. You certainly were not a terrible hostess! We were quite interested in Canadian history as this is where our ancestors are from. Many are surprised by their own history at times. I am still learning US history and I have 20 years on you!

And never apologize for a cat! Ezra was not obnoxious - just shy and yes, a scaredy-cat. Sam and I both live with a cat of that variety. We understand many cats are not overly friendly with strangers, but very sweet with their own humans.
Hope this is a good day for you. Overall you seem to be doing somewhat better on the migraine front as you try to get the upper hand and show it who's boss. I hope that trend continues.

*****************************
The heat of yesterday seems to be off to somewhere else. yay! It just saps my energy. So - out to a local restaurant last night for lobster mac and cheese (have to get it at least once a year) and raspberry peach pie! Wine was 1/2 price too ;-)

Loki did not get us up till 7:10 this morning! Totally UNHEARD OF!! Ron is off on an ambulance call and I am lap-locked by Woolly.

Errands today and long overdue visit to see Mom. *sigh*

Hope visit to see mom goes well, Claudia.

What are you reading now?

Currently reading:
Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki by Murakami
Two Winters in a Tipi by Mark Warren
About 1/3 through each.

Visit to Mom postponed to tomorrow. Didn't get going early enough.

Went to pick out new floor for DR and LR. Still trying to decide. Nothing is perfect when you have pets, but I can't stand the horrible carpets anymore.

Glad you had such a good trip, Cee!

Hi Cee!
Yes, Chloe is growing like a weed! She turns three months this weekend and has been in the 3-6 months clothes for a few weeks already. I fear that she will be mobile before I have a chance to blink!

Glad you keep enjoying your Canadian vacations! Hopefully you will return to Halifax/NS one day!

Hi Claudia! I loved your photos from the Meet-Up! I am glad you had such a good time with Ilana. LTers are sure a special breed aren't they?

I hope you are still enjoying the new Murakami. I will be cracking my copy in about 5 weeks or so.

>143 Smiler69: I love the meetup pics too, and am glad you didn't break your shoulder this time!

>159 ChelleBearss: aaw, growing like a weed- just what we want our kids to do, however reluctantly :)

Hi Cee- Two Winters in a Tipi sounds cold interesting! I'd do it, and I reckon you would too ;0

>158 tymfos: Me too, Terri. I was a tiny bit apprehensive going to a new, foreign city with a teen. I had nothing to worry about :-) It was fun.

>159 ChelleBearss: Oh, yeah. Chloe is growing so fast. Hang on to your hat - there's no stopping her. I DO plan to return to Nova Scotia someday - hope that little girl is not driving by then!

>160 msf59: Hi Mark, As I expected the Murakami is slipping toward weird, but I am still liking it. This particular edition is so easy to read - smaller size and clear print.

>161 LovingLit: Megan! How very nice of you to come visit me :-) I'll be getting to your thread soon, I'm sure. Wondering how things are going in NZ. You and me both! (glad about no breakage of bones!) Apparently my mil has finally gone to hell and not around to push me any more. heh. Hope I don't have to spend eternity with her. If so, I'm in big trouble.
Haven't gotten to the "cold" part of Two Winters in a Tipi yet - but it IS quite interesting. So far the author's house burned down, he built his tipi and outfitted it. Lots of details included. Primitive - but seems he will be comfy. He's feeling a part of nature now and I'm wishing I was doing the same. otoh, I love my house!

Do you have any other Canadian vacations planned for your near future?
Nate and I are heading home to Ontario in about two weeks so that all our family and friends can meet Chloe. We are throwing a BBQ so everyone can come to us and that way we don't have to spend the whole visit driving around to visit everyone. I am very excited to go home!

Thanks for the good energy and the giraffes... hugs

Sending some back your way.

>163 ChelleBearss: Have no imminent plans for another vacation, Chelle. However.... I'm looking around for possibilities. Open to ideas ;-)
You will have so much fun showing off Chloe. BBQ was a great idea.

>164 mckait: Thanks, Kath.

************
Sheesh! I nearly put out an eye rearranging my books today!
Weeding and consolidating, I managed to kneel on the dog bone on floor, reacted by lurching towards the bookcase, hit the corner of my eye on edge of a shelf. OUCHIE! Blood... pain... hyperventilating...
ice... hugs... recovery. Phew! Will finish that chore at a later date!

Oh no!! Hope you didn't hurt yourself too bad! Hugs for you

ouch ouch ouch! Pizza man better take good care of you!

Ouch! Think it was the MIL again? Good thing you got to keep the eye. Phew!

CEE & Ilana! I love the meetup photos! You are two beautiful women and one gorgeous puppy! Looks like you both had a blast.

Dearest Cee....
I want to tell you about a documentary that is out right now. I've been posting about it on Facebook (so pardon the repeats if any of you have seen it on my page there), but you need to know about it because of your mom.

The film is called Alive Inside. It follows a Social Worker, Dan Cohen as he journeys on his mission to bring individualized music to people with dementia in nursing homes. I first saw the You Tube video about a year ago and have been keeping up with the project ever since. It has finally gotten enough funding through the Kickstarter campaign that it was made into a full length film and it was shown at the Sundance Film Festival (where it won the Audience Award, incidentally).

It is only showing in certain cities in the US, but it came to Atlanta this week. It just so happens that I taught my first big Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Care seminar this week as well, so I was able to show the video I'm going to link here and another one that they've released to the public. I had the opportunity to see the documentary last Saturday and it was truly amazing. I can't put into words how heart touching it is. If there is any way it comes close to where you live, please go see it.

Here's the site: http://musicandmemory.org/

I talked to one of my Administrators this morning. She took several members of her team to see it after I recommended it. She said it was amazing for them to watch, but one of the most incredible things was that there was a family there and they had brought their mother (who has dementia) with them to the film. And as they were all watching the movie, she was responding to the music like the residents on the screen and coming alive in the theater with them. It is just simply astounding that music has such a power to awaken us!

Anyway, I'm sorry for this lengthy post, but I wanted to share this info with you because I know how much you and your family have been through. Love to you all....

Good Morning to you Cee!

Chilly here.... 50F in the morning... nice day on tap they say.

wishing you a happy day...

>169 TinaV95: That fits so well with what I just read about music therapy and Alzheimer's in the Oliver Sacks book Musicophilia!

>171 tymfos: Wow! How timely! He is actually featured in the film. If you go to the site I listed & watch Henry's video, Dr. Sacks does a good bit of the explanation.

I guess I know what book is going on my wish list right now as soon as I hit post! Thanks for mentioning that. Now I'm truly excited about yet another book!!

>166 ChelleBearss: Eye looks kinda rough, but getting better. No more pain unless I accidently touch it. Thanks for the hugs. I swear I am not accident prone... at least I never used to be.

>167 mckait: Pizza man? Is he a good boo-boo kisser?

>168 Smiler69: Not the MIL this time. The dog just doesn't put away his toys. My eye was somewhat discolored by this morning and eyesight a bit fuzzy... but I think it will be fine. I can still read ;-)

>169 TinaV95: >172 TinaV95: Believe it (or not) Tina, we went to see this documentary tonight. It was amazing enough to bring tears to my eyes and smiles to my lips. I always thought that music was the thing that made Mom the happiest. The fact that they have so much live music at Sunnybrook was always a plus. Will say more abut this when Woolly gets off my lap and I have two hands.

>170 mckait: Ah,yes! Very happy day. I got goose bumps from the chill when I climbed out from the warmth of bed this AM. *grin*

>171 tymfos: Hi Terri!

Ok... kitty jumped down. I'm free!

After reading your message above (>169 TinaV95:), I checked to see if that film was coming anywhere near here... ever. Imagine my surprise to see it is in a neighboring town - right now! So, we went.
It was showing at a small cinema I've never heard of and apparently is a hidden gem - café, cinema, gallery, bar... recently renovated part of an old historic mill. Now we have new dining and activity options! A well kept secret... secret no more. ha!

The film was excellent. And I don't doubt the effect that music has on even the most severe cases of dementia. I was moved by the stories. I did however come out feeling bad that my Mom is even in an assisted living home. OK. It's not quite so institutional and cold as some nursing homes, but I feel like a failed daughter. I've been recently struggling with this all over again and half decided to bring her back here to live with us. It was obvious in the film - old people do really want to be with family. I know in their minds "being with family" is quite different from the reality of what that means. Mom wants to be in control as she always was in her heyday. I was willing to be flexible with that, but it got to be too much.

Ron and I talked about the ipod idea. Not to be negative, but it would be impossible for Mom to do it herself. Would only work if someone did up a play list of course, but also would have to keep the ipod charged and work it for her. And worst of all, it's a pretty good bet she would lose it - as she has lost so many other things that we have hunted for and never found. When she moves out is probably when we will discover her hiding places. Maybe. If she does move back here, we will certainly be able to help her with that whole ipod thing. But that's a big, BIG decision yet to be made.

Thank you so much for mentioning that movie. It was timely and important. If all nursing homes required ipod and headset for a resident to be admitted, it's a small enough investment and everyone would have one. There would be so much maintenance/assistance needed from the staff, but given the outcome perhaps very worth it. At any rate, Ron and I are going to make up a playlist for ourselves and give it to our kids. Of course, who knows what listening device will be used when we get to a nursing home?

Oh. It sucks to get old.

Glad you aren't having pain!
Ever since Chloe was born (and in my late pregnancy) I have been a total klutz! I haven't hurt myself (thankfully!) but I've dropped everything in this house at least once! Nate thinks it's hillarious yet annoying!

Chelle, That seems to happen a lot with pregnant women - and it lasts awhile but is not permanent (for most). This too shall pass ;-)

Great trip, Cee, and love the pictures!

hope you have another goosebump day

It is way too long since I visited here

The opening photo of your grand daughter is lovely!
>137 Smiler69: I love the meet up photos!
>6 -Cee-: Of course, this is so cute!!!!

And, I really like that you have a lovely photo introducing the books you read each month.

Happy Sunday!

>177 ronincats: Hi Roni! Thanks. It was a great trip - I think for both of us. Sam had a great summer and I was happy to have this time with her. One more happy memory that will last a good long time. It was fun meeting Ilana, too. I'm glad I all worked out well. It's been so long since I traveled on my own, I was beginning to wonder how it would go. "I still got it!".

>178 mckait: Hi Kath - Thanks! I'll take goosebumps over sweat any day. Today isn't too bad but a bit more humid than is good for the soul. Still. I am rejoicing it's the LAST day of August. yay!
Quiet weekend for us. BBQ chicken and salad for us tonight. Don't know what else. Oh, maybe a t-storm or two.

>179 Whisper1: Hi Linda,
Thanks. Ya know, I just noticed I forgot to go back and insert an August picture. Well, maybe I can dig one up today. Maybe a hummingbird... though they seem to be fewer the last few days. Migrating already? There were an abundance of them this year.

My granddaughter starts HS today... orientation. I know it seems strange to start on a holiday Sunday, but it's a private girls school and I guess many are moving in this weekend. Sam will be a day student. They do go to great lengths to keep day and boarding students together and on the same wave length. I hope she loves it and does well. She will be taking Chinese (language) this year. That would scare the begeebers out of me, but she is looking forward to it. (We've already discussed our next trip - to China! Riiiight.) I think she will finally be challenged this year. Go Sam!

Finally catching up on threads. Hi Sis! I am so glad the trip was a success. And you had a meet up with Ilana! I wish I could meet LT-people, but there are not that many Dutch LT members.

Giving you big hugs and sending good vibes your way!

#47 Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage by Haruki Murakami (3.7 stars)



A very good book, though not as great as I hoped for from this author. That said, I will be interested in reading comments from others to see if I can be convinced to upgrade the star rating due to interpretations and facets of the story I did not catch on my own.

The writing was simple and clean - unlike other Murakamis I have read - though there was a deep sense of Murakami mystery and pain right to the end. The format of the book itself was perfect. The size of the book and print, and the artwork were a treat. If you really look at the covers (inside and out) when you finish the book, you will notice artistic interpretations of the written story.

Since there will be a GR soon, I'll track the thread but I don't want to give anything away right now... or question anything yet. I think it will be well received - maybe better than his other books that are so mystical, other worldly, and weird that I so enjoy.

btw, the ending left me right where I expected. Heavy sigh.

>181 connie53: Hi there Sis!
I am having a heck of a time getting around to threads myself. I wouldn't mind taking a trip to Holland again to meet up with you. I might be in a wheelchair by the time it could happen though. Don't lose hope ;-)

Thanks for the hugs and vibes - sending back more of the same!

Hope is kept up!! I would love to meet you, wheelchair and all! We could have a race between us!

Hi Claudia, kind of strange they're having orientation at Sam's school on a Sunday, no matter what the reason, if you ask me. I'll be among those reading the new Murakami during the group read in October. I don't think I'll ever be able to keep that title straight!

>180 -Cee-: We also noted many hummingbirds this summer. In fact, a few days we had multiple visits on our deck as they took nectur from a budding oxolis plant. So cute, so fast, so beautiful1

>184 connie53: OK. It's a deal. Wheelchair race is on! hehe

>185 Smiler69: Hi Ilana, When I started reading this book, the title and the names were throwing me for a loop. By the end of the book it all seemed familiar and I found I could even spell most names! By tomorrow I'll probably forget all of them. I'll be particularly interested in what you think of the book as you frequently see so much more than I.

I don't know about that Claudia, I feel so brain-dead these days. Reading The English Patient, which was so lovely... I felt like ¾ of the book was going right over my head and that it was being wasted on me. Have requested the movie at the library and am hoping the movie adaptation will help me 'read' aspects of the story I somehow missed in the book, though I'm sure they've simplified things quite a bit. No wonder I've been feeding myself a steady diet of YA and mysteries this summer—anything the least bit literate and I'm lost at sea!

I'm so very glad you got a chance to go see the film, Claudia! I know the film didn't paint centers in the best light, but most of us try very hard to love our folks and give them quality care.

My dream would be for every center -- assisted living, personal care, and skilled nursing -- to have iPods for every resident. That is a far, far reaching goal for Dan and his team but I think that is what they would love to see as well.

You could at least have an iPod for your mom that you guys keep and bring with you on your visits if you are worried that she will lose it.

One of my centers went to see the film (I sent out a mass email to all the corporate folks and encouraged them to go). One administrator went and took her interdisciplinary team and now they are all so excited that they have asked for permission to become a certified "Music and Memory" facility. We haven't gotten an answer back from the head honchos yet, but I put in my $.02 (of course :) my answer was a HUGE yes, you know) and I am really excited at the possibilities.

Sending you and your mom all my love!

>188 Smiler69: "anything the least bit literate and I'm lost at sea!"
Oh, Ilana! You are truly full of bologna! LOL I guess having a nearly constant battle with migraines makes you feel that way at times. I can't even imagine that kind of struggle.
I'm about to start Camus' The Myth of Sisyphus. It's been mentioned several times in the course of my reading this year and though I know the basic story, I've never actually read it. Should be interesting. heh.

>189 TinaV95: Tina, I don't think they meant to be so down on institutions but because of the guilt I so often feel I picked up on it and felt bad. Also, when I read a book or see a film that focuses on dementia/Alzheimer's it hits me how awful it is for everyone. I was telling a friend of mine about using ipods and how I would be afraid Mom would lose it and she mentioned using a tiny tracking device. That might be a solution to that part of it. Music certainly has potential. It is powerful.

#48 Two Winters in a Tipi: My Search for the Soul of the Forest by Mark Warren (3.9 stars)



I got this one for cheap on my kindle not too long ago. Wasn't sure it would pan out - but as it happened, I really liked it a lot. Interestingly, I rated this one slightly higher than the Murakami I just read... probably because I like the subject matter better. I checked Amazon to see if it was still cheap - alas, no. It's about $9 now and I'm too cheap to pay that much so I'm glad I took the chance.

So, it's about a naturalist who built himself a tipi to live in when his house was hit by lightning and burned down. His goal was to live a lifestyle that would bring him in touch with the wilderness on an intimate level.

The explanation of how to build a tipi in DETAIL went right over my head... though I have to admit it's quite an art. That's ok. I'll stick to the home I have. Warren's experiences were touching, humorous, and informative. He teaches a deep appreciation for nature to all ages on his property that he knows so well. His comfort with forest animals enables him to get closer to them.

All in all - a good read.

Cee--OMG! I haven't been here in a while. How remiss of me! Your trip sounds like it was absolutely great and I love that you travelled with your granddaughter. I hope that I am that cool a person later in life. ; )

Good review of the new Murakami, Claudia! I am looking forward to diving into this one next month. I hope you had a nice holiday weekend.

Kiiimmmberrrrly! Hi!
You are already a cool person. I wish you many granddaughters! (later, of course)

Mark,
Well, that wasn't really a "review" of Colorless. Just a few comments. I'm waiting to see how the RG feels about it. I really liked Joe's review.
btw, can I send this heat/humidity back to you? Please?